How to Feed Dog a Healthy Diet

Is your dog this healthy?

Too many times, people forget the importance of a healthy diet for themselves ... and their dogs. Pretty much the same vitamins and nutrients that you have to eat to stay healthy, your dog has to have to stay healthy, as well.

Instructions

1. Avoid feeding your dog table scraps. Feeding your dog table scraps may cause them to become malnourished and, in some instances, can cause them to become sick. Table scraps are exactly what they sound like--scraps and not a wholesome meal that a dog needs to carry on a healthy lifestyle. To promote a healthy diet for your dog, feed them wholesome meals two to three times per day.

2. Make sure your dog gets a lot of protein. Protein is composed of very important amino acids, necessary for the health of both humans and dogs. Almost everything your dog eats needs to contain at least a moderate amount of protein. If your dog doesn't get enough protein in its diet, the dog can become weak and not have enough energy. Additionally, they could be more vulnerable to developing heartworm (a very dangerous disease for dogs). With this being said, many good sources of protein include wholesome beef or chicken (either prepared by you or bought from the grocery store).

3. Make sure your dog gets a lot of essential vitamins in their diet. Vitamins, such as vitamin A, C, K and other main vitamins and minerals need to be very abundant in your dogs diet. Vitamin A can aid in your dog's eye sight, vitamin C can promote good immunity and oral health and vitamin K can promote good digestive health for your dog. Make sure your dog's two to three meals daily meals are plentiful in these and more vitamins and nutrients. Feeding your dog carrots and broccoli (if they will eat it) will help with these vitamins, or you can search your local grocery store for food with these vegetables in them.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, it is OK to give your dog food that you make from scratch; however, many people give their dogs anything to eat, which may end up not being very fresh, leading to sickness and/or malnutrition in the dog. Therefore, it is very important to put as much thought into preparing your dog's meal as you do with your own.

Resources

• Dog Time